Idle speed increasing device



July 3, 1962 A. E. MAJEWSKI 3,042,134

IDLE SPEED INCREASING DEVICE Filed Dec. 9. 1960 MZm DEVICE INV EN TOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 3,042,134 Patented July 3, 1962 3,042,134 IDLE SPEED INCREASING DEVICE Alfred E. Majewski, Livonia, Mich, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 9, 1960, Ser. No. 74,956 2 Claims. (Cl. 180'77) The present invention relates to a device for automatically increasing engine idling speed. More specifically, the present device relates to an engine idling speed increasing device which is responsive to actuation of a vehicle power steering mechanism.

It has been found with vehicles having power steering devices that the engine tends to stall when such vehicles are being parked. This usually occurs because the operator is endeavoring to park the vehicle without actuating the throttle and relying on normal engine idling speed to control vehicle movement. However, actuation of the power steering unit imposes an additional load on the engine which in turn tends to stall unless engine speed is advanced correspondingly to compensate for the additional load.

Copending application Serial No. 37,886 Braun, filed June 22, 1960 discloses a device for increasing idling speed by automatically opening the throttle valve. In the present invention, engine idling speed is increased by uniquely utilizing manifold vacuum to advance the distributor spark and thereby engine speed when the power steering mechanism is actuated.

The details as well as other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a perusal of the detailed description which follows:

The drawing is a diagrammatic representation of a control system for increasing engine idling speed in response to power steering actuation.

A carburetor is indicated generally at 10 and is suitably mounted on an intake manifold 12. Carburetor 10 includes a primary induction passage 14 having a throttle valve 16 rotatably disposed therein. The carburetor functions in the normal manner to provide a fuel-air mixture to intake manifold 12.

A distributor is indicated generally at 18 and is of conventional design being adapted to sequentially distribute electrical impulses to the engines spark plugs. Distributor 18 includes a vacuum diaphragm unit 20 which, in the conventional manner, is adapted to advance or retard the engines spark in accordance with engine load. Vacuum device 20 communicates through a conduit 22, branch conduit 24 and a throttle body port 26 with induction passage 14 proximate throttle valve 16. During engine idling conditions throttle 16 is in the position shown and thereby substantially blocks port 26 preventing manifold vacuum from actuating vacuum unit 20. In this event, the distributor spark is fully retarded. As throttle valve 16 is opened manifold vacuum will act on the vacuum unit and as engine speed increases the increasing vacuum will advance the spark to provide the requisite power output from the engine.

As thus far described the system is conventional in operation.

As already noted, the present system is adapted for use with a vehicle having a hydraulic power steering system. A power steering device is schematically represented at 28 and includes a hydraulic pressure line 30. A pressure switch 32 is interposed in line 30 and is exposed to the hydraulic pres-sure therein.

A power source or battery is shown at 34 and is connected through ignition switch 36 to pressure switch 32.

In addition, pressure switch 32 is connected with a solenoid controlled valve 38 through a suitable lead 40.

Solenoid valve 38 includes casings 42 and 44. A solenoid 46 is suitably supported within casing 44. Casing 42 includes a chamber 48 which communicates through a passage 50 with an opening or port 52 formed in the carburetor casing wall or in a mounting gasket and which port communicates with induction passage 14 posterior-1y of throttle valve 16. Casing chamber 48 also communicates with a branch 54 of distributor vacuum passage 22.

An armature 56 including a stem and a valve member 58 is slidably supported within casing 42 and is normally biased by a spring 60 to a position in which the valve portion 58 blocks communication between passages 50 and 5'4. However, when the power steering mechanism 28 is operated, the hydraulic pressure in line 30 will actuate pressure switch 32, energizing solenoid 46, raising armature S6 and unseating valve member 58. Manifold vacuum is thereby admitted to passages 54 and 22 advancing the distributor spark and which, in turn, increases engine idling speed.

In this manner, engine idling speed may be increased during idling conditions to compensate for the additional power steering load imposed on the engine.

I claim:

1. A vehicle engine idle speed controlling device including in combination a vehicle power steering mechanism, a manifold, a carburetor mounted on said manifold, said carburetor having an induction passage and a throttle valve rotatably disposed therein, an electrical charge distributing device including servo means for advancing and retarding spark, conduit means communicating said spark controlling distributor servo with said induction passage proximate the throttle valve, and valve and conduit means connecting said servo to said manifold, said valve means being responsive to operation of said power steering means for admitting manifold vacuum to said servo means whereby the spark will be advanced and engine idling speed increased.

2. A vehicle engine idle speed controlling device including in combination a vehicle power steering mechanism; a manifold, a carburetor mounted on said manifold, said carburetor having an induction passage and a throttle valve rotatably disposed therein; an electrical spark distributing device including servo means for advancing and retarding spark; first conduit means communicating said spark controlling servo with said induction passage proximate the throttle valve; a solenoid controlled valve mechanism; a second conduit means for communicating said solenoid valve device with said first conduit means; third conduit means communicating said solenoid valve device with said induction passage posteriorly of said throttle valve; said valve device including a valve member normally biased to a position blocking communication between said second and third conduit means, and a solenoid adapted to actuate said valve member to communicate said second and third conduit means; and a pressure responsive switch device associated with said power steering mechanism and adapted to be energized when said power steering mechanism is operative whereby manifold vacuum will actuate said distributor servo mechanism to increase engine speed during idling operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,925,000 Mullins Aug. 29, 1933 2,348,302 Mallory May 9, 1944 2,659,353 Mallory Nov. 17, 1953 2,864,356 Udale Dec. 16, 1958 

